Notoglanidium pembetadi Vreven et al. 2013

Geerinckx, Tom, Vreven, Emmanuel, Dierick, Manuel, Hoorebeke, Luc Van & Adriaens, Dominique, 2013, Revision of Notoglanidium and related genera (Siluriformes: Claroteidae) based on morphology and osteology, Zootaxa 3691 (1), pp. 165-191 : 182-184

Notoglanidium pembetadi Vreven et al. 2013

( Figs. 5A, 5 B & 10G)

Holotype. MRAC A7-31-P-29: Kouilou-Niari River, Kouilou basin, just downstream from bridge of Dolisie (Loubomo)—Kibangou road, at Pont du Niari village, Republic of the Congo ( Congo-Brazzaville); 3°33’34.2”S, 12°20’28.2”E; 150 mm SL.

Paratypes. MRAC A7-31-P-30–32: same locality; 3 spec., 115–140 mm SL. MRAC A7-13-P-16–21: cf. holotype locality, at bridge; 3°33’18.8”S, 12°20’35.0”E; 6 spec., 53–170 mm SL. MRAC A7-13-P-42–44: cf. holotype locality, more downstream, 3°33’33.0”S, 12°20’20.4”E; 3 spec., 123–162 mm SL. AMNH 243475: cf. holotype locality, more downstream, 3°33’33.0”S, 12°20’20.4”E; 2 spec., 166–179 mm SL.

Other specimens examined. MRAC 91-79-P-283, Kouilou-Niari River at Pont du Niari near Kibangou, Republic of the Congo ( Congo-Brazzaville); 03°33’S, 12°20’E; 71 mm SL. MRAC 91-79-P-284: same locality; 68 mm SL. MRAC A5-36-P-119: cf. holotype locality; 3°33’18.8”S, 12°20’35.0”E; 111 mm SL. MRAC A7-31-P-33: same locality as holotype; 101 mm SL.

Diagnosis. Notoglanidium pembetadi differs from other species in the genus in having: a small predorsal body depth (8.2–11.6% SL) [vs. larger in N. akiri (19.5–24.4% SL), N. macrostoma (16.1–18.0% SL), N. maculatum (12.2–15.2% SL), N. thomasi (16.1–19.2% SL) and N. walkeri (14.1–20.2% SL)]; a large horizontal distance between the bases of the anal and caudal fins (15.7–18.6% SL) [vs. smaller in N. boutchangai (11.4–14.1% SL), N. depierrei (4.6–6.9% SL), N. macrostoma (10.3–13.6% SL) and N. maculatum (11.9–14.3% SL)]; a small interorbital distance (17.4–24.0% HL) [vs. larger in N. akiri (24.1–21.8% HL), N. macrostoma (28.0–40.4% HL), N. maculatum (20.0–23.3% HL), N. thomasi (41.0–26.4% HL) and N. walkeri (27.8–33.3% HL)]; an average combined premaxillary tooth plate width (21.0–26.4% HL) [vs. larger in N. boutchangai (30.1–35.3% HL) and N. macrostoma (33.5–41.7% HL), and smaller in N. maculatum (10.5–13.6% HL), N. pallidum (11.1–15.3% HL), N.

thomasi (11.9–18.2% HL) and N. walkeri (13.7–16.1% HL)]; an average number of soft dorsal-fin rays (10–13) [vs. seven rays in N. akiri , N. boutchangai and N. macrostoma , and 16–20 rays in N. maculatum ].

Description. Both head and body dorsoventrally flattened, with depth more or less constant from head to body (pre-dorsal body depth 8.2–11.6% SL, minimal caudal peduncle depth 9.3–12.9% SL, head depth 30.4–44.5% HL). As such, this is the only auchenoglanidine species where the caudal peduncle is often deeper than the anterior body half. Branchiostegal membranes variably fused, often not joint along the posterior halves (they may overlap). Combined premaxillary tooth plate of horseshoe-like shape (it is more cardiform or more widely crescent-like in other species). Adipose fin very low (1.1–2.6% SL). See also Table 4.

Colouration in life. Dark brown with lighter ventral side. In some specimens 7–8 transverse series of black spots are present.

Maximum size recorded. 179 mm SL.

Etymology. The local Kunyi name for this species, pembetadi , has been chosen as species name (Vreven et al., 2013).

Distribution. Known only from the Kouilou-Niari River [ Republic of the Congo ( Congo-Brazzaville); Fig. 13 ].

Figures

FIGURE 13. Distribution of all * documented specimens of Notoglanidium species known by the authors (* not exhaustive for N. macrostoma).

FIGURE 5. A, Dorsal and B, lateral view of the skull region of Notoglanidium pembetadi (MRAC A 5 - 36 - P- 119, 111 mm SL). C, Dorsal and D, lateral view of the skull region of N. thomasi (BMNH 1976.11. 12.84, 44 mm SL). CT scan reconstructions. N. thomasi specimen has been partially decalcified during preservation. Only selected structures indicated (see text for details). Scale bars = 5 mm.